Educational Materials

About Cal/OSHA

Advice to Employers and Employees RegardingWork-related Valley Fever

A recent cluster of work-related cases of Valley Fever at two solar installation plants in the Central Valley has drawn attention to the related health risks faced
by many California workers whose jobs may expose them to fungal spores found in soil.

Information for Employers

Employers have a legal responsibility to immediately report to Cal/OSHA any serious injury or illness, or death (including any due to Valley Fever) of an employee
occurring in a place of employment or in connection with any employment. Employers also have responsibilities to control workers’ exposure to hazardous materials.

Applicable regulations with regard to Valley Fever protection and exposure can be found in the California Code of Regulations,
Title 8, sections

Cal/OSHA has issued citations to several employers following investigation of confirmed cases of Valley Fever contracted
at the California Valley Solar Ranch and the Topaz Solar Farm in Santa Margarita.
Those citations can be viewed on the Cal/OSHA Notable Citations page.

What is Valley Fever?

Valley Fever is caused by a microscopic fungus known as Coccidiodes immitis which lives in the top two to 12 inches of soil in many parts of the state. When soil is disturbed by
activities such as digging, driving, or high winds, fungal spores can become airborne and potentially be inhaled by workers. Populations with more than 20 cases annually of Valley Fever
per 100,000 people are considered highly endemic.

While the fungal spores are more likely to be present in the soils of the Central Valley, they may also be present in other areas of California. The map below shows the areas with the greatest incidence of reported human Valley Fever cases.

Provide air conditioned cabs for vehicles that generate heavy dust and make sure workers keep windows and vents closed.

Suspend work during heavy winds.

Onsite sleeping quarters, if provided, should be placed away from sources of dust.

When exposure to dust is unavoidable, provide NIOSH-approved respiratory protection with particulate filters rated as N95, N99, N100, P100, or HEPA. Employers must develop
and implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with Cal/OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard (8 CCR 5144).

Take measures to reduce transporting spores offsite, such as:

Clean tools, equipment, and vehicles before transporting offsite.

If workers’ clothing is likely to be heavily contaminated with dust, provide coveralls and change rooms, and showers where possible.

Identify a health care provider for occupational injuries and illnesses who is knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of Valley Fever

Train workers and supervisors about the risk of Valley Fever, the work activities that may increase the risk, and the measures used onsite to reduce exposure. Also
train on how to recognize Valley Fever symptoms.

Encourage workers to report Valley Fever symptoms promptly to a supervisor. Not associating these symptoms with workplace exposures can lead to a delay in appropriate
diagnosis and treatment.

What work activities increase the risk of Valley Fever?

When fungal spores are present, any work activity that disturbs the soil, such as digging, grading or other earth moving operations, or vehicle operation on dirt roads, can cause
the spores to become airborne, therefore increasing the risk of Valley Fever. All workers on sites where the fungus is present, and who are exposed to dusty conditions and wind-blown dusts
are at increased risk of becoming infected.

Construction workers and other workers on construction sites, including roadbuilding and excavation crews

Archeologists

Geologists

Wildland firefighters

Military personnel

Workers in mining, quarrying, gas and oil extraction jobs

Agricultural workers*

* Cultivated, irrigated soil may be less likely to contain the fungus compared to undisturbed soils.

What should employers do if a worker reportsValley Fever symptoms?

Send the worker to a workers’ compensation healthcare provider or occupational medicine clinic whose staff is knowledgeable about Valley Fever. Alert the provider or clinic
to the possibility that the employee was exposed to dusts that may contain coccidioides spores. Physicians must submit a
"Doctor’s First Report of Occupational Injury or Illness" (Form 5021) for each employee evaluated for occupational Valley Fever.